Angel Of Music

AFTER THE GALA(The curtain closes upstage. BALLET GIRLS, from the wings gush around CHRISTINE who hands each a flower from her bouquet. REYER stiffly gives his approval)GIRY (to CHRISTINE)Yes, you did well. He will be pleased.(to the DANCERS)And you! You were a disgrace tonight! Such ronds de jambe! Such temps de cuisse!Here we rehearse. Now!(She emphasizes this with her cane.The BALLET GIRLS settle into rehearsal upstage, GlRY keeping time with her stick. Variations on this continue throughout the scene)(CHRISTINE moves slowly, downstage, away from the DANCERS as her dressing room becomes visible. Unseen by her, MEG also moves away and follows her. As CHRISTINE is about to open the dressing room door,she hears the PHANTOM's voice out of nowhere)PHANTOM'S VOICEBravi, bravi, bravissimi . . .(CHRISTINE is bewildered by the voice. MEG,following, has not heard it. CHRISTINE turns in surprise, and is relieved to see her)MEGWhere in the worldhave you been hiding?Really, you wereperfect!I only wishI knew your secret!Who is this newtutor?CHRISTINE (abstracted, entering the dressing room)Father once spokeof an angel . . .I used to dream he'dappear . . .Now as I sing,I can sense him . . .And I knowhe's here . . .(trance-like)Here in this roomhe calls me softly . . .somewhere inside . . .hiding . . .Somehow I knowhe's always with me . . .he - the unseengenius . . .MEG (uneasily)Christine, you must havebeen dreaming . . .stories like this can'tcome true . . .Christine, you're talkingin riddles . . .and it's notlike you . . .CHRISTINE (not hearing her, ecstatic)Angel of Music!Guideand guardian!Grant to me yourglory!MEG (to herself)Who is this angel?This . . .BOTHAngel of Music!Hide no longer!Secret and strangeangel . . .CHRISTINE (darkly)He's with me, even now . . .MEG (bewildered)Your hands are cold . . .CHRISTINE;All around me . . .MEGYour face, Christine,it's white . . .CHRISTINEIt frightens me . . .MEGDon't be frightened . . .(THEY look at each other The moment is broken by the arrival of GIRY)GIRYMeg Giry. Are you a dancer? Then come andpractice.(MEG leaves and joins the DANCERS)My dear, I was asked to give you this.(She hands CHRlSTlNE a note, and exits.CHRISTINE opens it and reads)CHRISTINEA red scarf . . . the attic . . . Little Lotte . _____________________